At the weekend the city of Glasgow was the venue for some traditional kulchurr.
Next week it will be the turn of Béal Feirste to endure this celebration of backwardness.
My views on the cult of Orangeism will come as no surprise to regular readers of this site.
Here is mine from 2010.
In 2013 I tried to further analyse this nihilistic performance art.
Last year some within in Glasgow reached, in the words of Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken a “tipping point” apropos these anti-Catholic parades.
“There is a growing public mood that we’ve reached tipping point with behaviours associated with this type of event. The Orange Order, its individual districts and lodges, and other Loyal Orders may want to ask themselves what message the attitudes of those aligning themselves with their events send out about Scotland, about Glasgow and indeed about themselves and their proclaimed values.”
Well said Ms Aitken.
This was on the back of the assault on Canon Tom White at St Alphonsus Church in July 2018.
For the avoidance of doubt, his assailant Mr Bradley Wallace was simply acting within the mores of the belief system which had socialised him.
Spitting on people does seem to be a thing among the Orange marching community.
Very dignified…
Apparently, being abusive to women in the street is also an important part of this family day out.
In the aftermath of the assault on Canon White, an organised public voice emerged to oppose these anti-Catholic marches now has a public voice.
The Call It Out organisation has carried out several silent peaceful protests as this Fascist performance art.
Despite her strong statement at the time Ms Susan Aitken has she refused to meet with Call It Out in order to remain, as she put it, “even handed”.
I cannot imagine such a civic leader having the same balancing act with the local Imam and the fine fellows of the Scottish Defence League.
Most right-thinking folk in Britain are alarmed at the rise of Fascism on the streets.
In Glasgow, there is a particular fashion item (often counterfeit these days) that can give a clue as to whether or not one is dealing with such a person.
Across the North Channel where Orangeism originated in the late 18th century, time has largely stood still for the brethren as the rest of the world has moved on.
It is only when the rest of the planet visits their little corner of this island that this bat shit subculture is exposed to some global scrutiny.
Thankfully, the international golfing fraternity attending the Open at Portrush this year were spared the spectacle of the embarrassing street theatre by the local lodge.
Of course, the coming week in Norn Iron will be dominated by the final preparations of “bonefires”.
These environmental carbuncles often have tyres to add to the toxicity of the event.
Apparently, Brexit is a big theme this year for these defenders of “Ulsturr”.
In keeping with their traditions of historical illiteracy the pallet collectors do not realise that they are actually re-enacting signal fires that once guided in a European army up the Lagan.
Moreover, it was a military expedition mainly funded by Pope Alexander.
For the main funder of the Grand Alliance in the war against French hegemony was the Papacy.
This excellent piece by Danny Morrison adds some valuable historical context to the bonfire problems of Béal Feirste.
It is a cultural connection between the two cities that both places would be better off without.
However, at the moment is very much a case of hands across the sea.
Sadly the hands are mainly employed on knuckle scrapping duty.
Of course, it would be a crucial error to believe that this hate fest has the approbation of all people of the Reformed tradition in Glasgow.
I was heartened by this tweet from Kelvin Holdsworth, the Rector and Provost of St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow.
This senior cleric within the Scottish Episcopal Church was quite clear apropos the desirability of the Orange Walk in Glasgow.
He looked forward to the day when no one would want to take part in such an event in Glasgow.
Sadly, that seems a long way off in the future at the moment.
What is hopeful is that there is now an organised opposition to these anti-Catholic marches passing by Catholic churches in Glasgow.
That is something to be hopeful about.
The citizenry of both cities deserves better than burning tyres and inflammatory marches.
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From what I’ve read recently, the golfing fraternity WILL have to endure 5 or 6 loyal bands from 6pm on the 3rd day of the Portrush Open. Can only wonder what they’ll make of it all.
Though am sure Ricky Fowler would be the toast of the brethren if he wears his favourite orange trousers and polo shirt.
Definite potential here for the orange order to be shown in an unfortunate light throughout the world – shock horror.
A very well known Glasgow journalist called Joan Burnie told a chat show host ( many many years ago) that she had gone into Glasgow one Saturday for shopping…not knowing that the OO were marching through the city.
Within minutes of walking towards the shops…she was covered in spittle ….and all because she was wearing a green coat.
She also confirmed…for the avoidance of doubt…that she is a Protestant….but could not understand the mentality of the people she met that day.
Its not a new thing folks.
History not their strongest subject Philip.
gie us wur cathedral back
I always considered those taking part in Orange Walks to be a right narrow-minded and nasty bunch. In the last few years , though, the only parades I have seen were largely populated by simple-minded looking people .They seemed to have a penchant for wearing trousers which were about four inches above their ankles.
It’s not a penchant – their trousers are at half-mast to commiserate the passing of somebody’s puddy-tat! 🤣
That’s the breeks their father wore. It’s a fact that this generation are taller than the previous one.
Onward! Christian soldiers.
I was reading, at the weekend, that the OO want to March on their “traditional” route in Drumcree, namely the Garvaghy Road. Apparently, they have been banned from doing so since 1998, which (if memory serves me correctly) was when affiliates of this bigoted organisation torched a house occupied by a Catholic family, resulting in the death of two little children. This was the same year when the Orange (dis)Order held a stand-off with the then RUC, resulting in the Rev. Gordon Angus McCracken – a close friend of Rev. Ian Paisley, Pastor Jack Glass, and Peter Robinson MP – stepping down as the Deputy Grand Master of the LOL in Scotland, as he was apparently “shocked” by the sight of the damaged caused to an RUC officer’s riot helmet.
The only march that should be allowed down Garvaghy Road is one that is intent on firstly commemorating the death of those children, and secondly, intent on reparation with the entire Catholic community. But – sadly – we all know that that will never happen.
With the ban of wood burning and the environment will Guy Fawkes day and the billy boys sash bash end soon
John Johnson is a hero in my eyes…HH